PCB lifts suspension on national selector

Karachi, June 29 (IANS) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wednesday decided against punishing controversial national selector Mohammad Ilyas for his role in the Board’s dispute with all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

A three-man PCB disciplinary committee, that heard Ilyas’s side of the story Tuesday, has recommended that the board lift the suspension on Ilyas which was imposed on the former Pakistan Test cricketer for violating the PCB’s code of conduct.

Earlier this month, Ilyas was suspended and served two show-cause notices for his role in the dispute involving Afridi’s outburst against the PCB and appearing on a television show with banned player Salman Butt.

He was found guilty of breaching clauses 8 and 9 of his PCB contract. Under ICC rules, no board member is allowed to interact with a banned player. Ilyas took part in a TV show that also featured Butt, who was banned by the ICC for his role in a spot-fixing scandal.

“Mr Ilyas was asked to explain the reasons for his recent conduct. He mentioned that he should have sought permission from PCB before appearing in the talk show,” said a statement issued by the PCB.

“Mr Ilyas said that he felt he had to defend his honour after being subjected to accusations of a personal nature. The committee noted that Mr Ilyas had responded to personal comments made against him but had not criticised the PCB, its management, or its policies.

“The committee issued a short order in which it recommended that PCB issue a warning to Mr Ilyas to exercise caution while dealing with the media in the future. The committee also recommended that PCB lift Mr Ilyas’s suspension. A detailed order will be issued at a later date.”